Electric switch.



F. J. RAVLIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION F|LEDAPR.'3. |911.

1 1 70,1 90.. Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

595 bfi Inverno/r dimm' i To all whom it may concern:

FREDERICK J. RAVLIN, OF'CHICAGO,

i.LLINoIs. v

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Be it known that I, FREDERICK a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, inthe county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in lplug switches for effecting electrical-connection -between respectively fiXed and portable electrical contact parts. Such plug switches generally comprise a receptacle or socket to be permanently located as a terminal for.

the fixed wiring to carry the stationary contact members, and a plug adapted for insertion in the socket, carrying the complementary removable contact, members for electrif cal connection with the portable wiring. Such switches are often located in places where they are exposed to the weather, and are subject to rough usage and abuse, as for instance, in railway shops and yards, machine shops, and the like. l

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide ,a plug switch, in which' the socket or receptacle 4member is of rugged and lweather-proof construction, sus-l ceptible ofr withstanding hard usage and adverse weather conditions without breakage, dislocation, orv deterioration of its mechanical parts,or interference with its electrical connections.

A further object of my invention is to provide a socket structure ofsimple, and

relatively cheap, construction, and having its parts constructed for cheapness in'manufacture, and for facility 1n assembling, re-

pairing, and connecting its parts.

Other objects of my invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying draw-,

in which I have illustrated a practical lng, embodiment of my invention.

In said drawings, Figure l is a central vertical section of the socket and plug 'member detached; Fig. 2 is a horizontal view partly in elevation, and partly in section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective detail of an insulating block and contact; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4--4 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a sectionon line 5 -5 of Fig. 1. .Y Y

In thedrawings, 10. indicates in general the' socket or receptacle member, and 32 the plug member. The socket or receptaclein- -Specification of Letters Patent.

J RAvLiN,

cludes a metallic casing or shell, 11, preferably formed of an upper shell member 12'and a lower shell member 13, the latter preferably having its upper edge telescopically fitting into the upper c asingmember 12. Each casing member is preferably provided on its rear wall with apertured eX- tension ears, 14, to be suitably secured to any support, as a post or the like, and additionally, if desired, the overlapping portions of the two shell membersmay be secured together as by screws 40, as shown in Fig.l 2. Withinthe lower shell 13 is mounted the insulating base 15, carrying the sta.- tionary contacts. The contact base is preferably made in two duplicate sections 15", of insulating material, meeting in a vertical plane traversing thegcasing fromffront to back and is preferably slip-fitted inthe casing, that is to say, positioned in vthe casing only by inclosure and frictional engagement, so that the basemay be slipped out ofthe Patented Feb.. 1, 1916.

Application iied April 3, 1911. Serial No. 618,666. l i

from the bottom of theinsulating member to a top wall 17 thereof, sothat when the two members are placed face to face the recesses 16 vform a bottom opening socket 16, closed in all lateral directions and'at its top by an insulating material. The bottom opening of the socket 16 is surrounded by a lip 18 of the insulating material, neatly interfitting in a bottom opening 19 in the bottom ofthe lower shell member 13, and preferably projecting slightly beyond the bottom of the said shell when the parts are assembled. Upon the confronting inner faces of the socket. or) back walls of the recesses x16', which are preferably parallel with -the plane of separation -of the insulating blocks, I mount the contact springs 20--Q0. Preferably-each spring has its lower extremity bent up into an anchorage tip 20', overlain by an anchor plate 21, which is preferably provided with a boss 21', and .which lies,- together with the anchorage t1p 20 of the section is provided with a recess 23 in which I is located a metallic plate 24 giving foundation to a contact screw 25' taking through the plate 24 and insulating wall into the .boss 21', and to a screw 25, which extends vlain by an insulating strip 27 of fiber or the like, interposed between the side wall of the insulating base and the corresponding wall of the shell member 13. Enough thin strips Agedness being a salient of such insulating material 27 are preferably employed to wedge the insulating base members tightly in the lower shell member against lateral spreading.v rthe upper shell member 12 is preferably provided with an interior spacing rib 12, projecting downward from the top and inward from the front and* back walls thereof to rest upon the top wall of the insulating blocks,'thereby to retain the insulating blocks against vertical displacement and, preferably, also to position the top section vertically with respect to the lower casing-section. rlhe top of the cover member 12 may be apertured appropriately to receive the ordinary conduit fitting 30, of well known construction, and the wires 31 are led from said conduits respectively to right and left over the top of the block 15', between tlie spacing webs 12, and down the wiring channel 26 for electrical connection with the Contact screws 25.

It will be observed that when the casing members are separated, the two contact carrying blocks 15 are free independently to be slipped out of their place in the circumferentially retaining lowei` shell member 13, so that they may be handled and wired as separate units, or individually repaired or replaced, yet when the plugs are in place in the shell, the block is adequately braced in.

every direction by the metallic shell member so as not to be liable to fracture, damage, or displacement from the effect of long continued rough usage, this durability and rugobject of the invention. y

it will be observed that the, switch socket is completely housed to prevent deterioration of its contact parts from the weather, its sole opening being in its-bottom, and being in large measure protected by the lip 18, which tends to cause the moisture to drip from around the oriticeratherY than to film over the contact parts.

The associated plug 32 may be of any desired construction and preferably comprises a handle 33 of wood,-iber, or like insulating materialof relatively infrangible character, terminating at a shoulder 34 beyond which extends the blade 35, bearingfon its side faces the contact strips 36, screwed or other casing sections,

wise secured thereto and connected with the portable wiring 37, the wires of which eX- ten'd through the usual wiring passages 38 in the handle. It will be observed that the size relation of the plug to the orifice of the socket and the position of the stationary contacts 20 make impossible a short-circuiting of the'two separated contacts 20 by a single contact 36 of the plug, and the strong yet flexible mounting of the stationary contact springs 20 makes easy the insertion of the plug into its socket, and prevents displacement of the springs under long use.

`While I have herein described in some detail `a particular embodiment of my invention,l it will be apparent that many changes in the details of construction might be made without departure from its spirit and within the scope of the appended claims.

What l claim is: y

1. In a plug-switch receptacle-member, the combination of upper and lower metallic casing sections, slip-fitting telescopically, jointly forming a casing closed circumferentially and having top and bottom walls, there being a wiring orifice' in one section and a plug orifice in the bottom wall; means on each said casing section for attachment thereof to a suitable support; .an insulating base slip-fitted in the casing and otherwise free therefrom, said base receiving bearing in all directions from the casing and thereby positioned against movement` in the casing, said base having therein an end-opening socket adapted to receive a push plug and registering with the plug orifice in the bottom wall of the casing; and contacts within the socket carried by said insulating base.

2. As an article of manufacture a weather proof plug-switch receptacle-inember, coniprising, in combination, a plurality of insulating-base sections, meeting at their longitudinal edges and there suitably recessed to provide an end-opening socket; contacts carried by said sections respectively mounted on the back walls of the socket; and a casing comprising upper and lower sections each provided with exterior apertured ears for attachment to a suitable support. said casing sections telescopically interfitting and jointly encompassing the base sections to give them bearing in all directions and to position them by inclosure, the lower casingv member having a plug receiving orifice registering with the end opening socket of the base, and the upper casing section having a'wiring orifice and being otherwise closedthroughout.

3. Aln a plug-switch receptacle-*member the combination of upper and lower metallic slip-tittlng telescopically, jointly forming a' casing closed circumferentia ly and having top and bottom walls, there being a wiring orifice in one section the combination of upper and Alower metallic one end, jointly slip-fitting telescopically, jointly-forming a casing closed circumferentially and having top and bottom walls, there being a wiring orifice in one section and a plug orifice in the bottom wall;l an insulating base, slip-fit-ted in the lower casing section to receive casing sections,

with the upper casing section to position the casing section, said base having therein an end opening socket adapted to receive a push plugv rand registering with the plug orifice in the bottom wall; contacts within said sockets carried by the base and means for uniting said casing sections.

5. In a plug-switch receptacle-member, the combination of a plurality of insulating base sections, meeting at their longitudinal edges and there providing jointly an' end opening socket, contacts carried by said respective sections mounted on the back walls of the socket, and a separablel part casing,

surrounding said base, receiving its sections in slipped-in relation and affording them bearing in lall directions to position them only by inclosure,said casing having a plug receiving orifice registering with the end opening of the base socket.

6. In a plug-switch receptacle-membera two part casing, comprising upperand lower casing members telescopica-lly interfitted to form an inclosure having a top wiring orilice and a. bottom plug-receiving orifice, and otherwise closed throughout; an insulating base slip-fitted therein, receiving bearing in all directions from the casing, said base comprisinga plurality of sections having their vertical edges meeting and recessed along .said edges from one end tov form jointly an end-opening plug-receptive socket registering with'the plug receiving orifice of the casing, and spring contacts on the back walls of said recesses.

.7. In a plug-switch receptacle-member, an insulating base comprising a plurality of sections meeting at their longitudinal edges and recessed along their meeting faces from to provide an end opening socket; spring contacts within the socket mounted on the backwalls of the recess sec,-

tions, and tending when under plug-inserlateral and end bearj ing therefrom, and having end engagement.

'having a plug tion stress to separate said sections and move' them longitudinally,and a casing pro viding two separable vparts jointly encompassing said lsections to give them bearing in all directions and to position them by inclosure, said casing havingv a plug receiving orifice registering with the end opening of the base socket and having a wiring ,orifice and being otherwise closed throughout.

8. In a plug-'switch receptacle-member, an insulating base comprising a plurality of sectionsA meeting at their longitudinal edges, and recessed along their meeting faces from one end, jointly to provide an end opening socket, contacts within the socket mounted on the back walls of the recesses, and a casing, comprising a lower portion providing a bottom wall having a plug receiving orifice therein registering with the base socket and providing side walls, shorter than the insulating base, affording bearing therefor vin all lateral directions, and a top portion,

telescopically interfitting with said lower portion, and having end bearing on the insulating base sections, whereby the insulating base and the casing top mutually position each other, and means whereby -the casing parts are adapted to be secured in position, longitudinally, with respect to. each other.

9. In a plug-switch receptacle, the combination of an insulating base providing an end opening socket, said base consisting of two independent sections meeting in a plane vertically traversing saidsocket, Contact members carried on the back walls of the socket, and a casing, comprising two members separable in a plane transverse to the meeting plane of the base section, one of said members closed throughout its perimeter and affording bearing in all lateral directions to the base sections, the end wall of said casing member giving bearing to the base section and having a plug receiving orifice therein, and theother casing member aording bearing to the opposite ends of the base sections, wherebysaid sections are held against lateral and longitudinal displacenient through inclosure by the casing.

10. In a plug-switch, the combination of an insulating base comprising independent plural sections meeting at their longitudinal edges, recessed jointly to form an end opening socket, contact members on the lateral back walls of said socket, a casing wherein said base sections are 'mounted affording bearing to said sections in all directions and positioning said sections in relation to one another by its inclosure thereof, said casing receiving orifice registering with the base socket; and a plug adapted to 'slip longitudinally into said socket, said plug carrying lateral contacts complemental to the base-carried contacts, one of the complemental contacts being laterally yielding,

Pto

so that plug insertion exerts a stress tending both to separate the base sections and to move them axially.

l1. In a plug-switch, the combination of a casing, means for attachment thereof to a support, said casing comprising two portions separable on a transverse plane and telescopically interitting, the lower section having a bottom plug receiving opening and the upper section having a wiring opening, and said upper section having portions of its interior at different elevations to provide internal bearing portions and intermediate spaces for wire accommodation, said casing being peripherally closed throughout; an insulating base comprising a plurality of independent similar sections, meeting at their vertical edges, each having arecess extending from its lower end and jointly forming a socket registering with the'plug orifice of' the casing, said sections receiving.

bearing from the casing laterally and atthe bottom, and at the top coacting with the internal bearing portions of said upper casing sections; a plug longitudinally slidable into the socket, and complemental contacts on the plug and the base, one of said contacts being laterally resilient, and the base carried -contacts being arranged on the back walls of the recesses in the respective base sections.

l2. In a plug switch receptacle member, the. combination of upper and lower casing sections, each closed throughout its sides,

said sections telescopically interitting vt0 form a casing, the upper section having a wiring opening and the lower section having a plug orifice in its bottom, an insulating base comprising two sections extending vertically side by side inserted in said lower casing section and retained against upward displacement by the upper casing section, said base having a socket formed therein registering with the bottom oriice of the lower casing section, a lip on said insulating base surrounding the socket and extending into the orifice in said lower casing member, and contacts carried by the insulating base.

13. In a plug switch receptacle, ,the -combination of an insulating base 'comprising' two separable sections having 'confronting recesses mutually to form a socket, each said section havingv an exterior wiring groove, a

,contact spring in each section located in the socket and an electrically connected wire receiving part therefor located 'in the appropriate wiring groove, a metallic casing comprising two telescoping ,v members respectively forming the lower and upper portions of the casing, the lower member telescoping within the upper member and having an ori tice therein registering with the socket'in the insulating base, and insulating strips interposed between the grooved surfaces of the insulating section and the lower casing ravage@ member to overlie the wirereceiving parts .in the respective wiring grooves and to of the socket; anchorage plates overlying said spring lips and underlying the spring.

leaves proper, contact screws engaging the anchorage plates and extending through the insulating base into the respective wiring grooves to secure the anchorage plates and contact springs; 'a metallic casing investingr said insulating base, and insulating strips interposed between the grooved exterior portions of the insulating base and contiguous portions of the metalliccasing.

15. lin a plug switch receptacle, the combination of an insulating base providing a socket, and exterior wiring grooves, opposing contact springs, each having one end doubled back-to form an anchorage lip underlying the spring-proper, anchorage plates overlying said lips and underlying the springs proper, plates in the wiring grooves opposing the anchorage plates, and screws extending through the insulating base to connect said anchorage plates and contact plates.

16. ln a plug switch receptacle, the combination oit an insulating base, comprising two sections having confronting recesses mutually forming an end-opening socket, a lip formed on the parts of said insulating base surrounding the orifice of said socket, Contact members in said socket, respectively e casing member telescoping over the first said casing member, provided with separated parts for bearing on the top of the insulating base, and provided with a wiring oriice,

17. lin a structure of the character described, the combination ofduplicate insulating base-sections, said sections jointly providing a vertical socket having its opposed .side walls .respectively in the two sections, and said socket having an end opening Athrough the bottom of the said sections, Contact springs on the opposed side walls of the respective sections, each said spring being secured to the section adjacent to the end opening of the socket substantially iiush with iisI the appropriate socket wall, terminal members connected with said springs and extending through the opposed socket walls into grooves provided therefor in the exterior faces of said walls; a lower casing member closed throughout its perimeter and having a bottom opening alining with the socket opening, said lower member being shorter than the insulating base sections and retaining them laterally against "displacement, and an upper casing member coperating with the first, provided with a wire receiving orifice and otherwise inclosing the entire top portion of the insulating sections, and ribs on said upper casing member coacting with the top of said insulating sections, to retain them in position against vertical displacement.

18. In a a plurality of insulating-base sections, meeting at their longitudinal edges and having in their proximal faces recesses, each extending from one end of the section, jointly to form an end opening socket; contacts carried by said sections, each mounted on the back-wall of its appropriate recess; a basecontainer, a'ording bearing for the sectional base in all directions and thereby positioning the base sections against separation or axial movement, said container arplug switch, the combination of said socket for coaction with the contacts' therein.

19. In a plug switch, the combination of a plurality of insulating-base sect/ions, meeting at their longitudinal edges and having in their proximal faces recesses, each extending from one end of the section, jointly to form an end opening socket closed at its upper end; leaf spring contacts within said socket, one mounted on the back wall of each recess near the open end thereof, and extending longitudinally toward the closed end of the socket; a plug adapted for longitudinal insertion in said socket and provided with coperating contacts; and a structure encompassing and affording bearing for the sectional base in all directions, thereby to position said base sections against separation or axial displacement under the axial and spreading thrust of the plug against the spring contacts.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

FREDERICK J. RAVLIN.

In the presence of- FORE BAIN, MARY F. ALLEN. 

